The Downtown Development Authority is planning Kennesaw’s first Beer and Music Fest to showcase downtown in September.

The festival is in the initial planning stages, but the committee is leaning toward making it an adults-only event. Committee members said Tuesday that by requiring attendees to be at least 21 years old, adults would enjoy themselves more and be able to relax. If ticket sales exceed expectations, the group expects to see 2,500 attendees in the first year.

The event will last from noon to 8 p.m. They’re considering a site on J.O. Stephenson Avenue. The beer tasting, live music and food sales begin at noon. At 6 p.m., the beer tasting will close, and a beer sale will begin. For the last two hours of the event, all proceeds collected will benefit the Kennesaw Downtown Development Authority.

By next month, the committee will have a better idea of specific projects the Beer Fest proceeds will support, according to committee member Shannan Smith.

Olde Towne Sports Tavern has applied to handle the beverage distribution. The tavern has distributed for the Pigs & Peaches Festival, Taste of Marietta, and Smoke on the Lake in Acworth. It will work the Savage Race next month in Paulding County.

The City of Kennesaw must approve a permit for the Downtown Development Authority to hold the festival. The City Council will consider the permit at its June 3 meeting, following a presentation from the authority in May.

The group is in the process of arranging tents, chairs, tables, portable bathrooms and musical acts for the event, Smith said.

Aside from hiring police officers to patrol, the committee intends for the event to be self-sufficient, using food trucks that are also a branch of the Downtown Development Authority, Smith said.

Smith said the DDA might reach out to Atlanta-based Sweetwater Brewing Co. for a local touch, and the group is toying with the idea of having a backyard brewers’ corner for locals who brew their own beer to showcase their products.

The DDA has gone before the events committee through the city but hasn’t brought the idea to the council. Smith said everyone working needs to get a pouring license in order to make the idea of the Beer Fest a reality.

Assuming the DDA is able to gain the permits necessary for the event, it would be Sept. 14.

There are so many other great small breweries in this area, they need to reach out to more than Sweetwater. I also agree with having a DD bracelet. I'm sure there is also a 'safe ride' arrangement that could be made as well.

I don't want to rain on this article, but I hope there are plenty of watch-outs there to look out for stupid people that drink too much and don't have a designated driver. I would hate for the publicity after this event to be horrible news. Sounds like a blast for responsible drinkers, but not all of America is comprised of responsible drinkers. Just sayin. I would hate to see someone stand up in court and say Kennesaw made me do it. A lot of beer tasting can be done in 8 hours, you know. I would feel more comfortable if the event lasted 2 hours max.

I believe it plans to do this on the site of the old car lot which is really on Main St, this event seems to me a very dangerousness undertaking with plenty of room for liability. Be very careful Kennesaw

Beer Man

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April 10, 2013

The DDA needs to reach out to Burnt Hickory Brewery just down the street for a local touch.....

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